Device for cleaning tubular articles



No. 6I4,I9I. Patented Nov. I5, |898. I. M. WEILLS.

DEVICE FUR CLEANING TUBULAR ARTICLES.

(Applieation med mr. 2, 189s.)

ma Model.)

Mt c Mm fa/nga TN: mams Frans co. Puomuruo.. WASHINGTON, In. c.

UNITED STATES ISAAC M. WEILLS, OF WASHINGTON,

PATENT OFFICE. i

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO ALVIN C. SPINDLER, OF EDGEWOOD,PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,191, dated November15, 1898.

Application filed March 2, 1898.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC M. WEILLS, a resident of Washington, in thecounty of Vashington and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Devices for Cleaning Tubular Articles; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to a tool for cleansing or polishing the interiorof tubular articles.

The object of my invention is to provide a tool of such form that thecloth or cleaning material employed therewith will so gather and wrapitself around said tool when forced into the tube to be cleaned as toform a close compact cylindrical wad which will fit tightly within thebore of the tube, so that when moved up and down therein the said Wadwill rub all points on the interior and remove all foreign mattertherefrom.

To these ends my invention comprises, generally stated, a tool forcleaning or polishing the interior of tubular articles having aspindlewith a series of concentric rings formed thereon with beveledperipheries, each of said rings being of smaller diameter than thepreceding one, and with spaces formed between the rings, the largestcircumference of said rings being at their upper or inner edges, so thatwhen the cleaning-cloth is forced linto the tube by said tool said clothwill adjust itself in and around said rings in such a way as to form aVcompact cylindrical cleaningwad.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willdescribe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure lis a perspective view of my improved tool. Fig. 2 is laview of same in a tube in the act of cleaning, the tube being inlongitudinal central sect-ion for purposes of illustration. Fig. 3 is anend view of the tool. l

Like letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

As my invention can be used to great advantage in the cleaning ofgun-barrels I will describe it with special reference to that particularclass of tubular articles, although it Serial No. 672,292. (No model.)

is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this particular use.

In the drawings the letter c designates a spindle formed of brass orother suitable material, with a series of rings b b b2 b3 formed thereonconcentric with each other. The ring b at the upper or outer end of thespindle is larger than the succeeding one b', and b than ythe one b2,and so on throughout the series. Any number of said rings may beemployed, according to circumstances. The peripheries of the rings b19'192 b3 are beveled, as at c, for the purpose more fully hereinafterset forth, the largest circumference of each ring being at its upperorinner edge. Where the tool is to be employed for cleaning gun-barrels,it may be threaded at its inner end, as at d, so as to be screwed int-oa threaded seat in the end of the rod e, or, if desired, it may beformed integral therewith. For convenience in screwing up the tool theinner ring b8 may be milled on its periphery, as at b4, so that theoperator can obtain a tight hold and screw it up tight.

When in use, the tool is screwed into the rod e, and the cleaning-clothf, of one thickness, if sufficient, or of several ply, if need be, isforced down into the gun-barrel h. As the outer ring b carries the clothdown into the barrel the surplus cloth, which collects in folds as itpasses into the barrel, will wrap and entwine itself around thesucceeding smaller rings b b2 b3 of the series. The spaces between therings, as well as the graduallydiminishing diameters of said rings,permit this excess of cloth to wrap itself around the spindle in such away as to form a dense compact cylindrical wad. Enough cloth is employedto cause the tool to enter the barrel with some resistance, so that thecloth will rub and scrape the walls of the barrel with suflicient forceto remove all foreign matter. To aid in this is the purpose of thebeveled peripheries on the rings. Oil or other lubricant may be employedto saturate the cloth. By working the rod up and down the interior ofthe barrel is thoroughly cleaned and polished, as the cloth adjustsitself to form a cylindrical wad which will rub the entire innercircumference of the barrel and no portion ICO escapes. The cloth soentwines itself about greatest circumference of each ring being at thespindle that it will not become disengaged its upper or inner edge, andeach of said therefrom during the rubbing operation, so rings being ofsmaller diameter than the prethat there is no danger of leaving thecloth ceding one and with spaces between the rings.

5 down in the barrel. In testimony whereof I, the said ISAAC M. I 5

What I claim as my invention, and desire VEILLS, have hereunto set myhand. t0 secure by Letters Patent, is ISAAC M. WEILLS.

In a tool for cleaning tubular articles, a Vitnesses: spindle having aseries of concentric metal ALvAN DENNAN,

Io rings thereon having beveled peripheries, the MINNIE A. LEONARD.

